Sugar Run Falls
Pennsylvania • 20 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
3.6 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
300 ft
About Sugar Run Falls
Sugar Run Falls is a cascade of about 20 feet on Sugar Run, a small tributary of the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park north of the town of Ohiopyle. It sits beside the Mitchell Trail a short climb above the Great Allegheny Passage. Flow is often low in dry weather because the stream is small.
The Setting
Sugar Run Falls sits at 1,165 feet in the foothills of Pennsylvania. The falls drop 20 feet.
Height: 20 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Cucumber Falls (30 ft) lies 3.0 miles to the south. Also nearby: Ohiopyle Falls (20 ft, 2.6 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The moderate 3.6-mile out-and-back trail gains 300 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
A common route starts at the Jonathan Run trailhead on Holland Hill Road and follows the Jonathan Run Trail about 1.6 miles downstream, past Upper and Lower Jonathan Run Falls, to the Great Allegheny Passage. Turn left on the GAP for about 250 yards, then left on the Mitchell Trail and climb a few minutes to the falls. The round trip is about 3.6 miles, with roughly 300 feet of climbing on the way back.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 20 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Sugar Run Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed dogs are allowed on Ohiopyle State Park trails and the Great Allegheny Passage.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Sugar Run Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Sugar Run Falls, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall and along the trail, especially after rain. Always stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Youghiogheny River, 2.8 miles away, not on Sugar Run Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
1,140 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 18 years of record
2.06 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle, PA (4 km away).
Today
Strong
1140 cfs
10/10Tomorrow
Strong
961 cfs
9/10Tue
Strong
885 cfs
10/10Wed
Strong
893 cfs
10/10Thu
Strong
991 cfs
8/10Fri
Strong
999 cfs
8/10Sat
Strong
1021 cfs
8/10Best window: Today — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to mid March, peaking in February.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Ohiopyle hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Sugar Run Falls Frozen?
Updated about 2 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Sugar Run Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 61°F to 38°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 1140 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Pennsylvania.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The bare-earth surface loses about 174 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The falls are listed at 20 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,159 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 121 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 100 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,159 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 174 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From the Ohiopyle visitor center, take PA 381 south, bear right onto Ohiopyle Road past Cucumber Falls, and go straight at the four-way intersection onto Holland Hill Road. The Jonathan Run trailhead is at a sharp left bend in the road. The falls can also be reached from the Burner Run lot via the Sugar Run and Mitchell trails.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
The Jonathan Run trailhead on Holland Hill Road is a small unpaved pull-off that holds about six cars.
Elevation
1,165 feet above sea level
Coordinates
39.905908° N, -79.490594° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit after rain or in early spring for the best flow. The trails can be muddy and the rocks slick near the creeks.
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With 3.6 miles and 300 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof
Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.
Where to Stay
Stay In Ohiopyle near everything including the trail, Ohiopyle PA
Comfort Inn Connellsville Riverview
Lodge at Chalk Hill
Comfort Suites Uniontown
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
OUTFLOW CAMPING
9.6 miles away · 96 sites
Overview The Outflow Camping Area is located on Youghiogheny River Lake in the heart of the Laurel Highlands. The lake spans the Mason-Dixon Line between Pennsylvania and Maryland. Clean waters, forested mountains and steep-sided valleys provide an unsurpassed setting for recreational opportunities.Recreation Camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, hiking, biking, picnicking and sightseeing are the area's most popular activities. Boaters consider Youghiogheny River Lake, with its 16-mile length
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Jonathan Run Falls, Cucumber Falls, Ohiopyle Falls on the Youghiogheny, and the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail, all in Ohiopyle State Park.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors may also encounter salamanders and other amphibians near the streams.
Cities near Sugar Run Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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